Monitoring of communications network at packet and optical layers

Abstract

A method of monitoring a communications network by monitoring packet errors in one of the paths having at least two optical sections coupled in series with a break in continuity of optical transmission monitoring between the optical sections, and monitoring a transmission quality of each of these optical sections. A state is detected in which the monitored packet errors do exceed an acceptable threshold, but at the same time the transmission quality of each of the optical sections is acceptable, and an indication is transmitted of the detection. This can cause a request for an alternative path for the packets, or cause adapting of these optical sections to reduce bit errors. This can enable handling of potential conflict between packet and optical layers, when the packet layer sees errors but the optical layer indicates no problem.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of monitoring a communications network having paths for sending packets, the method comprising:
 monitoring packet errors in one of the paths having at least two optical sections coupled in series with a break in continuity of optical transmission monitoring between the optical sections, and monitoring a transmission quality of each of these optical sections; 
 detecting a state in which the monitored packet errors do exceed an acceptable threshold, but at the same time the transmission quality of each of the optical sections is acceptable; and 
 transmitting a signal indicative of the detection of this state. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is used to cause a request for an alternative path for the packets. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , the step of requesting comprises indicating that the alternative path is to use different optical sections. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the monitoring of transmission quality comprises monitoring bit errors. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the signal is used for the step of causing adapting of at least one of these optical sections to reduce bit errors. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the adapting comprises altering a wavelength allocation of an optical path to reduce cross talk with optical paths having adjacent wavelengths. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , the adapting comprising the step of reconfiguring the optical sections to add one or more optical regenerators so as to split one or more of the optical sections. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , the adapting comprising the step of selecting a different route for at least one of the optical sections. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 5 , the step of adapting comprising adapting an optical transmitter for the respective optical section, to adapt any one or more of: modulation, optical power. 
     
     
       10. A method of adapting optical sections of a communications network of paths for sending packets, the method comprising:
 receiving a signal relating to one of the paths having at least two of the optical sections coupled in series with a break in continuity of optical transmission monitoring between the optical sections, the signal being indicative of a detection of a state in which monitored packet errors exceed an acceptable threshold, but at the same time respective optical section transmission qualities monitored for the optical sections are acceptable; and 
 adapting at least one of these optical sections to improve its transmission quality, 
 wherein the adapting comprises one or more of:
 altering a wavelength allocation of an optical path to reduce cross talk with optical paths having adjacent wavelengths; 
 reconfiguring the optical sections to add one or more optical regenerators so as to split one or more of the optical sections; 
 selecting a different route for at least one of the optical sections; and 
 adapting an optical transmitter for the respective optical section, to adapt any one or more of: modulation, optical power. 
 
 
     
     
       11. A nontransitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which when executed by a processor cause the processor to carry out a method of monitoring a communications network having paths for sending packets, the method comprising:
 monitoring packet errors in one of the paths having at least two optical sections coupled in series with a break in continuity of optical transmission monitoring between the optical sections, and monitoring a transmission quality of each of these optical sections; 
 detecting a state in which the monitored packet errors do exceed an acceptable threshold, but at the same time the transmission quality of each of the optical sections is acceptable; and 
 transmitting a signal indicative of the detection of this state. 
 
     
     
       12. An apparatus for monitoring a communications network of paths for sending packets, the apparatus having
 a packet error monitor configured to monitor packet errors in one of the paths having at least two optical sections coupled in series with a break in continuity of optical transmission monitoring between the optical sections; 
 optical section monitors configured to monitor a transmission quality of each of these optical sections; and 
 a processor configured to detect a state in which the monitored packet errors exceed an acceptable threshold, but at the same time the respective optical section transmission qualities monitored are acceptable, and for outputting a signal indicative of the detection of this state. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , the apparatus being configured to couple the signal to a path computation entity to request an alternative route for the packets. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the monitoring of transmission quality comprises monitoring bit errors. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 12  being configured to couple the signal to an optical layer management processor, to cause adapting of at least one of these optical sections to reduce bit errors. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus for adapting optical sections of a communications network of paths for sending packets, the apparatus having:
 an input coupled to receive a signal relating to one of the paths having at least two optical sections coupled in series with a break in continuity of optical transmission monitoring between the optical sections, the signal being indicative of a detection of a state in which monitored packet errors exceed an acceptable threshold, but at the same time respective optical section transmission qualities monitored for the optical sections are acceptable; and 
 an optical layer management processor for adapting of at least one of these optical sections to improve its transmission quality. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16 , the optical layer management processor being configured to carry out the adapting by at least one of: altering a wavelength allocation to reduce cross talk with other optical paths, reconfiguring the optical sections to add an optical regenerator so as to split at least one of the optical sections, selecting a different route for at least one of the optical sections, adapting a modulation of an optical transmitter for the respective optical path, and adapting an optical power of the optical transmitter.